UVA Exchange
Sciences Po Paris

NOTE: This exchange program has now been reopened. It had previously been suspended temporarily due to our exchange being out of balance.

For over one hundred years, Sciences Po has been training the best young minds of France and Europe for leadership service. As one of Europe's most distinguished universities, Sciences Po prepares its graduates to take their place in international business, multilateral organizations, positions of public responsibility, and other fields of endeavor.

Students are drawn to Sciences Po - including increasing numbers (over 25% of the student body) of students from abroad - for its commitments to understanding the contemporary world through a interdisciplinary grounding in the social sciences. International students in particular stand to benefit not only from solid training in contemporary history and the synthetic core curriculum, but also from Sciences Po's famous method-training seminars and other features of an intensive pedagogical approach. As Sciences Po accepts the challenge of joining the ranks of the great international university centers, students from France and around the world find within its walls the rare opportunity to develop a global focus on the great questions of the day.

Location

The French capital is on everyone's itinerary of Europe. There is a lot to do here from the big tourist sights such as the Louvre and the Notre Dame to backpacker favorites such as the Catacombes and Jim Morrison's grave at Père Lachaise cemetery. Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts called arrondissements, and split in two by the Seine River. North of the Seine is called the Right Bank (or Rive Droit) and the south is called the Left Bank (Rive Gauche), which only makes sense if you are facing west.

The oldest part of Paris are the Ile de la Cité and Ile St Louis in the first arrondissement, here you will find the Palais de Justice, Sainte-Chapelle and the Notre Dame. If you don't want to wait in line for an hour, skip the Eiffel Tower and go to the Sacre Coeur, the roof of the Samartine department store and the Center Georges-Pompidou. All these sights are on the right bank and in contrast to the Effiel Tower, the view is free. Other sights worth seeing on the right bank are the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Palais-Royal. On the left bank, you will find the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, les Invalides, and of course, the Eiffel Tower!

You can't get lost in Paris as long as you know where the nearest métro or RER station is. Outside every station, and on most busy streets you will find maps of the local area.

Academics

CurriculumSciences Po Course Catalogue
Search by courses taught in French or in English. Courses in Economics, History, International relations, Law, Political science, Sociology

Requirements

Students must have completed at least two semesters at UVA to be eligible for this program.

3.0 GPA

It is possible to take a full load of courses in English. Students wishing to take coursework in French must have advanced language skills at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Terms
Fall Term: early September - mid December
Spring Term: late January- late May

Accommodation

Sciences Po Paris does not offer on-campus accommodations to students. Exchange students should thus be prepared to organize their own accommodations. The Sciences Po Paris housing office can provide students with contact information for housing agencies.

Please note that in order to obtain a French student visa students must provide proof of housing.

International Student Homepage

Cost

UVA students will pay their regular tuition rate and fees to UVA for the term they are on a UVA Exchange Program. Students are additionally responsible for room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. Students will pay the host institution or make their own arrangements for accommodations. Check the host institution web site for accommodation choices, cost, and application procedures.

Students are responsible for booking and paying for their own international airfare as well as researching and obtaining the necessary visa.

UVA students are required to purchase CISI emergency medical and accident insurance.

Expected Expenses

UVA Tuition and Fees

Host institution Room and Board

International Airfare

CISI insurance

French insurance (mandatory, see below)

French residence tax (mandatory, see below)

Books and Supplies

Local Transportation

Passport and Visa

Personal Expenses

Accessibility

The University of Virginia believes in providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities on an individual and flexible basis. If you believe that you would require adjustments in order to fully participate in this program, please contact the Student Disability Access Center at 434-243-5180 as early as possible in order to begin this dialogue.

Passport and Visa

All participants will need a valid passport in order to participate in the program. Students must ensure that their passport is valid at least six months past the program return date. US passport holders will need a visa to participate in this program. The ISO and Sciences Po: Paris will assist with the visa application process by providing the required enrollment letters, however the responsibility of applying for a student visa falls on the student. Please visit the Campus France (http://www.usa.campusfrance.org/en/) website to review the expectations and requirements for a student visa. International students should meet with their International Student Advisor and Education Abroad Advisor in the International Studies Office as part of the application process.

PLEASE NOTE: French Social Security law
French Social Security law requires that all international students under the age of 28 who will be staying in France for longer than three months pay the full year of social security insurance. U.Va. students at Sciences Po Paris can pay this through the Administrative Registration Office located at 9, rue de la Chaise.

French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) requirement
French law requires all students studying in France longer than six months to submit a residence form upon arrival in France, undergo a medical exam organized by the OFII and to pay a 55 Euro tax. The residence form is obtained at the same time as the French visa and should be kept in pristine condition. Students should bring a certified copy of their birth certificate translated into French. Additional documents may be required, please see French consulate website.

Health and Safety Information

All students considering Education Abroad should consult the Students Abroad section of the U.S. Department of State’s web-based travel resources and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health web resources to research health, safety, and security conditions; visa requirements; immunization requirements; and recommendations on staying healthy and safe in their target destination(s). Students should also carefully review the UVA Education Abroad Health & Safety Abroad web page. Parents and guardians are strongly advised to review all of these resources, as well. UVA students and visiting students enrolled in UVA Education Abroad programs are subject to the University of Virginia’s Policy on Student International Travel.